Craig is a gentle and fastidious man whose challenging life history one could not possibly envision when sitting down to talk with him.

His reality is one of acting out against his parents' discipline until the age of 18. Not able to keep a job for very long and struggling with life throughout the ensuing years, he was ultimately diagnosed with anxiety, depression and bi-polar disorder. When he was approved for disability benefits at just 40 years old, “I admitted it then,” he recalls.

He and his girlfriend were living with family in a large Orlando home, sharing the rent and responsibilities. The arrangement began to sour as he felt increasingly disrespected by the others. His response was to pack, put most of his belongings in storage and move into the Salvation Army, where he stayed for two years. Relocating to the woods, he partied and drank until he developed chronic pancreatitis, resulting in recurring hospital visits. Deciding he had to get out of the woods for his health, he returned to the Salvation Army and saved money for an apartment, but went back to the woods when a rental agreement fell through. The one good happening was that “I just stopped [drinking] cold turkey.”

His next stop was Coalition for the Homeless, where his merry-go-round of places began to slow down. “I used that time to recoup. I started healing,” he said of his nine months there. His case manager “got me involved in saving some money. It gave me stability.”

Craig’s Coalition case manager, Malik, also told him about Pathlight HOME’s Maxwell Garden Apartments and our Permanent Supportive Housing Programs.

“He started telling me about this place…what they do [for chronically homeless residents]. I wasn’t sure. I was scared….yet I couldn’t see another choice.” Craig decided to visit Maxwell Garden and meet with our Occupancy Specialist. When he “looked around” the facility and grounds he realized, “It looked okay; I felt safe!” And the rest is history, as they say. Craig became a resident of our Homes for New Beginnings (HNB) Program on May 16, 2017.

“I’m really so grateful for this apartment. It’s SO much more than I could ever hope for,” he says. “It’s given me a base where I feel comfortable…and have a safe home to come home to!” His pride and longtime desire to have “nice things” is evident as he adds, “I love cleaning my home.”

Craig also expresses his gratitude for those involved in his transformation, such as Mr. Malik and his HNB case manager, Ms. Gail Smith, for her caring, help and encouragement. “I guess you can have a really nice life if you trust in things and people who are trying to help you.”

Now “having a home base” in his Maxwell Garden efficiency, Craig’s existence is very different than in years past. He’s become a self-described “news junkie” who keeps to himself, enjoys researching topics on his laptop, wakes up early to coffee, relishes dusting and mopping his place, and is able to keep his medical appointments.

Musing about his life, Craig recognizes that, “If I wasn’t here, I’d probably be homeless in the woods.” Given an obvious pride at his changed life, we have no doubt about his choice for the future. One might say he’s off the merry-go-round!

4049 S. Orange Blossom Trail, in front of Maxwell Garden Apartments, is home to one of Pathlight HOME’s wonderful Social Enterprise Programs, Sobik’s Subs Café.

As a social enterprise, our unique café provides training and employment opportunities to formerly homeless and low-income students in the Pathlight Kitchen Culinary Training Program, right along with its yummy breakfast and lunch items, catering, event room, and free Wi-Fi. Thanks to an added partnership with Starbucks “We Proudly Serve,” you can also enjoy Starbuck’s delicious coffees and teas. How exactly, does Sobik’s Subs Café operate so efficiently? We owe it to the hard work of our quite competent manager, Barbara!

Born and raised in Georgia, Barbara moved to Orlando in middle school and has been residing here since. She reflects fondly on her childhood, accrediting her cooking abilities to her mother. “I learned to cook at a young age. My mom taught me how to make biscuits. They were hard as a rock! But [with practice over time] I got the hang of it.”

Cooking was always in the forefront of her mind when considering what career path she would pursue as she grew older. “I knew how to cook well, but I wanted professional training.” She decided to pursue culinary training, where she “learned the ins and outs of working as a chef.” After training and landing an internship, she was able to begin her career, which ultimately led her into the position she has now, as Manager of Sobik’s Subs Café for the past two years.

As manager, Barbara has incorporated popular additions to the Sobik’s Subs menu such as muffins, cereal, and other options for “on the go” customers that need a quick breakfast before work. She has big plans for the future, and hopes expand the menu even further, possibly adding pizza and wings - delicious complements to our signature subs! When she isn’t busy managing the business, she also plans to start taking baking classes, so she can implement a dessert and pastry menu in the future. With the support of her two new part-time employees, Kris and Christopher, working in the front and back of the kitchen, Barbara is confident her goals for our Sobik’s Subs location are possible.

Barbara’s career is proof that hard work and utilizing community resources can lead to success. When asked what she recommends to someone considering taking Pathlight Kitchen’s 12-week Culinary Training Program, she says to go for it! “It’s great because it’s fast paced, but it’s worth it. The amount you learn happens quickly. If you are interested in a culinary career, it’s a great foundation. It opens many doors.”

Barbara reflects on the “doors” that were opened in her life after becoming the manager at Sobik’s Subs Café. “I am learning how to manage a business. In the future, if I want to open my own business, I will have the foundation to do so. This has been a great opportunity.”

We are so thankful in return to have Barbara as part of the Pathlight HOME team.